Father of 2-yo sexual assault victim, issued 15-day remand

The father of the two-year-old sexual assault victim has been remanded by 15 days.

While the case of sexual assault against the two-year-old toddler arose from Kanduhulhudhoo island in Gaaf Alif atoll late Thursday and implicated in the case are the two-year-old’s father, grandfather and great grandfather. The arrests came after police assured the public that they are investigating the matter as a serious case.

The victim’s grandfather, 62 and great grandfather, 82, were also slapped with 15-day remands late Friday.

The 33-year-old was arrested from a flat in Hulhumalé on Friday night, "while he was in hiding" and taken to Dhoonidhoo Detention Center, revealed authorities.

Police, via a statement on Friday, said that the girl’s 82-year-old great-grandfather has a record of sexual abuse allegations while her grandfather, 62, is suspected of assaulting her.

RaajjeMV understands that the two elders out of the three were allegedly involved in the rape case, while her mother was in capital city Malé following health issues. While sources report that the parents are drug users, police confirmed that they have criminal records via statement and during a press briefing on Saturday afternoon.

During the press conference held jointly with the Gender Ministry, police revealed that two out of the three are accused of assaulting the toddler while one is accused of negligence. Although details of the accused were not revealed, RaajjeMV understands that the father is accused of negligence while the other two are accused of sexual assault.

The disturbing news took social media by storm, with several users calling for the resignation of Gender Minister Shidhatha Shareef. It has been long since authorities have been drawing public criticism, especially the Gender Ministry for inadequate action taken against child sex offenders and to curb the crime.